"A recent study published by edX, an online education platform, reveals that nearly half of the skills present in today’s workforce will become obsolete within just two years due to the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI).  

Sourced from a survey of 800 executives and 800 employees, the data suggests that 49% of current skills won’t be relevant by 2025."

There’s widespread agreement about the importance of AI, but companies are finding it difficult to adapt.

87% of the C-Suite say they’re struggling to find talent with AI skills, and 77% say AI is disrupting their business strategy.

While executives are embracing learning AI skills, many are concerned about falling behind.

79% of C-Suite executives fear that if they don’t learn how to use AI, they’ll be unprepared for the future of work.

Executives believe most functions at their organization will be replaced by AI — including the CEO role.

47% of C-Suite executives believe “most” or “all” of the CEO role should be completely automated or replaced by AI — and 49% of CEOs agree.

Executives believe AI proficiency will provide a significant career advantage.

82% of the C-Suite believe workers who are skilled at using AI should be paid more, and 74% feel they should be promoted more often.

However, employees don’t realize how much they’ll be affected.

20% of knowledge workers think “most” or “all” of their role could be replaced by AI.

Contrary to what you’d expect, the C-Suite doesn’t care if employees use AI to work for another company

82% of executives say employees should be allowed to use AI to work multiple jobs.

Entry-level knowledge workers are particularly at risk of being replaced by AI.

56% of entry-level roles will be eliminated, as estimated by C-Suite executives.

Employees are eager to learn AI skills, but workplace learning programs aren’t keeping up.

24% of employees are using their company’s programs to learn AI skills, and 39% say it’s likely they’ll quit for a job that offers better learning & development opportunities.

“According to the report, within the next five years, organizations will phase out 56% of entry-level knowledge worker roles because of AI. A majority, 79% of executives predict that such jobs will vanish entirely, making way for new roles for employees entering the workforce. ”

Like when I joined the workforce, the job that I ended up doing hadn't been invented when I was at school.  The same with school leavers today. A friend of mine believes his children will never need to learn how to drive a car. 

"However, it’s not just at entry level positions that AI is projected to impact. According to the report, 56% of executives also anticipate AI will either completely or partially replace executive leadership or C-suite roles at their organization.  

According to an analysis of the data published by Forbes, some experts see AI’s role as augmentative rather than purely artificial. Vittorio Cretella, CIO of Procter & Gamble, believes that successful AI applications will enhance human skills rather than replace them. 

As AI becomes more advanced in the coming years, repetitive tasks that can become automated will decrease in importance. To remain competitive, there will likely be more of an emphasis on investing time and resources into upskilling the workforce."

 

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